Alcohol consumption in France during the Christmas holidays

Holiday Preparation: Nutritional and Wellness Tips with Hedonist Labs

 

Yule log, turkey, foie gras… As the festive season approaches, many of us want to prepare our bodies for the excesses to come. The Hedonist laboratories have looked into the question and offer you a few tips to apply ahead of these events:

 

Don’t fast or deprive yourself before the big day

 

Contrary to what you might think, skipping meals in the run-up to the festive dinner is absolutely not a good idea.

 

So it’s a very bad idea to fast the week before the festive dinner. Your body will then store large amounts and you’ll put on more weight than if you did nothing. Above all, you risk being starving and pouncing on the canapés. So it’s important to eat well, so as not to go hungry or deprive yourself. But then, which foods and meals should you favour?

 

Opt for lighter meals and filling foods

 

A few days before Christmas and New Year’s Eve, our stomach needs a break. As we said earlier, there’s no question of going on a diet.

So we go for light, balanced lunches and dinners. We cut out all foods high in fat and fast sugars, cold cuts, pasta, cheese, chocolate and sweets. Processed products are also to be avoided. This festive season, take the time to discover a new passion for cooking.

 

Favour green foods

 

To prepare your digestive tract for the gargantuan meals ahead, focus on green foods that are easy to digest and rich in nutrients, fibre and mineral salts, such as broccoli, romanesco, watercress, courgette or spinach. Also opt for whole fruit rather than fruit juice. The goal is to fill up properly and trigger the feeling of fullness so you don’t snack and give in to foods that are too fatty, salty, sugary or processed.

 

Stay well hydrated all day long

 

In the run-up, try to limit all sugary drinks such as sodas, as well as alcoholic ones. It’s better to drink water, tea, herbal teas… Just like green vegetables, water has an appetite-suppressing effect that will prevent cravings and snacking.

It is of course important to drink throughout the day. Sports lovers, this section concerns you in particular: according to many studies, we know that 1% dehydration equates to a 10% drop in performance.

 

Don’t skip physical exercise

 

As you get ready to take part in a culinary marathon, your body needs to be prepared like a top athlete. It’s not about launching into serious physical training, but simply walking for a few minutes, going to work on foot or by bike rather than taking public transport.

You can also do a few cardio or strength exercises without equipment, in the warmth of your own home.

Remember, public health recommendations encourage you to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.

 

Make sure you get quality sleep

 

To arrive in top form for your end-of-year marathon of festivities, make sure you sleep well in the weeks beforehand. Sleep regulates a huge number of factors in the body (emotions, stress, memory, cell regeneration…)

To achieve this, a light evening meal is recommended. Focus too on all foods rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor of serotonin, the sleep hormone. You should also avoid being glued to your phone in bed, as this makes it harder to fall asleep: blue light is to be banished in the evening. Aim to use candles instead, for example.